-Teen Biotech Challenge-
Bioremediation
The Future
Nuclear Waste Treatment:
Microbes for Nuclear Waste treatment: Scientists have recently discovered the ability of a strain of bacteria called Geobacter sulfurreducens to neutralize Uranium and various radioactive elements meanwhile generating electricity. This microorganism uses electrodes for oxidization which in turn converts waste organic matter into electricity. Its secret is in the pili’s ability to release electrons into unstable Uranium or Iron and reduce the metal which makes the element insoluble. The research started in Rifle, Colorado nuclear dumping site where geobacter sulfurreducens were injected into the ground and the impacts were recorded. Datas recorded shows the microorganisms multiplying and preventing further seepage into the ground. (7.6, 7.7, 7.8)
Molecular techniques for identifying and monitoring Xenobiotic degrading bacteria and their catabolic gene
Xenobiotics pollute water causing immunosuppression and immunostimulation on humans (7.1). In-situ methods for degrading xenobiotics include identifying the stimulation for xenobiotic-degrading bacteria through detection of the activities of the bacteria. Nucleic acids of microorganisms in microbial community of contaminated sites are currently being cultured, analyzed and interpreted (7.2). From isolation of sample to culturing it and extracting nucleic acid to identify DNA and RNA, the phylogenetic tree of bacteria can be determined.
Stable Isotope Probing in Metagenomic Era
Introducing heavy stable isotopes from substrate into phylogenetically informative biomarkers such as phospholipid-derived fatty acids, DNA, and rRNA linked with microbes that consume the substrate into environment. After metabolically active cells have "incorporated the label into their biomass", biomarkers are recovered and analyzed.
Stable isotope probing enable scientists to track the metabolic capabilities and the microbial biodegradative processes of microbes. "The rapic evolution of SIP over the last decade and integration with metagenomics provides researchers with much deeper insight into potential biodegradative genes, processes, and applications, thereby enabling an improved mechanistic understanding that can facilitate advances in the field of bioremediation" (7.4)